Pittsburgh-Area Coffee Shop Giving Back To Veterans

PITTSBURGH, PA — Brave Bean Coffee is likely the only veteran-owned coffee shop in Pittsburgh and its owners are intent on supporting veterans' causes.

The Pitcairn-owned coffee shop is donating 10 percent of every online sale through May 26 to coffee and veteran-focused events in the local area for the Brave Bean’s Veterans and First Responders fund. The fund provides free coffee and veteran-focused events in the local area for those who served, ultimately bolstering its ongoing support of veterans, first responders and the military community.

"We here at Brave Bean carry an immense passion and level of respect for those who serve our country," Milo Speranzo, the company co-founder and a U.S. Air Force veteran told Patch. "Our mission is to provide exceptional coffee and contribute to a more sustainable world, one cup at a time, and as a service-disabled veteran myself, I wanted to give back not only to my community but to all who have served in the armed forces."

While deployed with the United States Air Force in Columbia, South America, Speranzo said he had what "his first real cup of coffee was." After his deployment, Speranzo returned to his hometown, Pitcairn, to open and develop his growing business.

Speranzo said that 30 Pittsburgh regional Giant Eagle stores, which will have Brave Bean Coffee on the shelves by the end of June, and 100 Pennsylvania regional stores will have it by next April.